Daily Readings - Mon Nov 30 2020
Romans
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Matthew
18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the themes of faith, response to God's call, and the responsibility to share the Gospel. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. It highlights the importance of spreading the Word, as faith comes from hearing the message of Christ. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this call to action through the story of Jesus calling the first disciples, who immediately left their nets to follow Him, demonstrating a prompt and committed response to God's invitation.
Both readings are set in the context of early Christianity. Romans is part of Paul's discussion on salvation, addressing both Jews and Gentiles, while Matthew's passage marks the beginning of Jesus' ministry, showing the gathering of His disciples. Together, they underscore the dual aspects of faith: believing in Christ and actively following Him. The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on response—faith in Romans and the practical following in Matthew—highlighting the call to both believe and act.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our response to God's call. It is not enough to have faith; we must also act on it, trusting God and being willing to make sacrifices. Additionally, we are reminded of our responsibility to share the Gospel, ensuring that others can hear and believe. The moral lesson here is the necessity of faith coupled with action, demonstrating true commitment to following Christ and spreading His message. Let us strive to be open to God's call, trusting in His plan and actively living out our faith.